Richard Belzer To Fill In During Randi Rhodes' Air America Time Slot

Richard Belzer will fill Randi Rhodes' 3pm-6pm time slot on Air America all next week, the Huffington Post has learned. Belzer is perhaps best known for his role on "Law & Order," where he plays Det. John Munch, but he is also a stand-up comedian as well as a Huffington Post blogger.

Developing...

Previously: Randi Rhodes Quits Air America Rather Than Apologize For Clinton "F*cking Whore" Remark: "There's Relief And Joy" At The Station

Comments

[DubiousAtBest]

i can't help but think that Air America DELIBERATELY released this Belzer info while Sam Seder was on the air in the hopes that he would explode on-air and quit, saving them the trouble of firing him.

Sam is the BEST thing that AAR has. I can't help but also think that the mgmt. is DELIBERATELY trying to destroy what remains of the original AAR audience. What else could explain this continuing complete and utter lack of understanding of who their audience is, and what their audience WANTS?

Good luck to Randi. PROMOTE SEDER TO A DAILY SHOW!!!!!

[Marlyn]

Sam was in only temporarily, hoping for more I suppose. AAR went with someone else. That's because the new owners are right wing, just like ALL of the other radio station owners.

[DubiousAtBest]

watching Sam's response in real-time (on the Sammycam) tells me that perhaps he was led to expect something different. He certainly DESERVES the spot.

[shinybear]

Seder was only sitting in for Randi rather than have someone from corporate sit in for Randi. He thought it would be best for Randi and asked her permission before he went ahead and did it. He is an honorable guy.

This will be the first of many hosts in the slot!

Seder's conscience won't let him stay and everyone will be listening to Randi online at Green 960 anyway.

[funkalicious]

The Belz should talk about his favorite conspiracy theories..­..

[IncredulousGeezer]

Belzer's tops!

Anyone that ugly who could maintain a sense of humor, be a great actor (Homicide: Life on the Street was his finest dramatic work), & blog with the best of them should be able to carry a broadcast show on AirAmerica in his sleep.

I'll be listening.

[hopeless277]

A new voice. Thank Odin!

[LeoMarvin]

I can see the promo:

"BELZER -- NOT SURE IF CLINTON AND FERRARO ARE F***ING WH***S."

[thefixisin]

I've had it! AAR needs to put Sam Seder in this time slot or i'm done with you. I have had my radio on AAR since you went on the air, but if you don't give him the slot your over in my book.

[NewRiver]

Hopefully they'll heed your advice. I would hate for you to quit listening and have their audience immediately go down 20%.

[brilliantatbreakfast]

Is this their idea of "exciting new talent"? Then yes, this is "Lionel Redux."

I adore Sam Seder, but I'm not sure that the once-a-week to which they've banished him is worth keeping my premium subscription. I think perhaps it's time to send Mark Green a big fat message and withdraw our dollars. The only thing keeping me from doing it now is that Seder is still there.

[Marlyn]

Sam Seder has been replaced by Richard Belzer BECAUSE Sam Seder is a LIBERAL voice, whereas Belzer is a right wing fascist voice, the preference of the new owners of Air America Radio.

[NewRiver]

LOL, Marlyn you win the prize for most ridiculous rant of the day...Rich­ard Belzer a right wing fascist voice? Wow, what color is the sky in your world anyway???

[ditsylilg]

Apparently you've not been listening to a word he's said. Or your ears are stuffed with cotton!!

[Ontariocentric]

Belzer rules!!

[Zentomato]

Fer crissakes you nay sayers give Belz a freakin chance! Come on be fair.

[shinybear]

Read the story more cloesly- Belzer is only in for a week.

Who cares what AA does?

WE ARE THROUGH WITH THEM.

[Zentomato]

shinybear. I did read the story. My point that you seem to miss is give the guy a chance, whether it is one show or a month of shows.

[CitizenTess]

Sam Seder has been a loyal employee of Air America. Now Belzer (ick!!!). Sucking up to management is fatal to your career!! The elite at "Air America" has such contempt for the on air talent. Fire Mark Green. What a loser. I think he let his support of Mrs Clinton intefer with his job of running the network. He is a buffoon who cannot even get his website to work. I know that thousands have written & called to support Randi Rhodes & received no response. Our emails are in the same graveyards as Roves lost communications. I hate that they put out a statement that there is "joy" at "Air America" TURN OFF AIR AMERICA!!!
Adios Air America, you can't even run a website, much less a radio network.

[Marlyn]

"Fire Mark Green." ???
That would be tough since Mark Green is the new owner of Air America Radio.

[shinybear]

We can tell.

[brasscupcakes]

I for one don't want or intend to give Richard Belzer a fair chance. Yes, I am a fan. Yes, he's smart, seems on the right side of most issues. But Richard Belzer's steady gig is as an actor.
He doesn't have the time, or likely, even the desire, to watch CSPAN around the clock, monitor the European papers, or ferret out important stories corporate media missed by poring through hours of Congressional testimony transcripts.
She dug up the truth beneath the spin, and made herself into a lightening rod for it. Even Sam Seder, much as I respect him, cannot meet that standard. (Rachel Maddow comes close).
Moreover, Richard Belzer, unlike Sam, is a celebrity, who doesn't need this job (and a good thing, too, cause he probably ain't getting paid for it, knowing Air America).
A column for Huffington Post, an appearance on Jon Stewart, a gig on Air America -- Belzer can command any forum he wants.
Unlike say, Sam Seder, or better for Air America, any number of other journalists or bloggers tirelessly investigating the current administration to preserve what's left of our freedoms. I mean, somebody like Barbara Ehrenreich springs to my mind, immediately.
Don't know where your head has to be to come up with Richard Belzer (no offense, Richard). Oh, well; at least Charlie and Mark will get to go to better parties.
Amy Pagnozzi, DailyItch

[LeoMarvin]

I have different objections to Belzer, but it's inaccurate to call him uninformed. He's into it.

[Skyhawk]

Let's give Belzer a chance. I would love for Sam to go back to mornings. Lionel is really more of weekend type program in my opinion.

[Kundera]

I think the hiring of Belzer is a huge right wing conspiracy, right, Richard?

[jstock]

Air America already HAS the perfect host-in-waiting to permanently take over the show: Sam Seder. He's the best. Here's hoping they make the right move this time, and give the gig to Mr. Seder.

[CatfishAndGrits]

While I like Belzer, he in no way has the radio experience Randi has. Not just anyone can do a radio show. And Randi is the best. We'll miss you Randi.....­and you were right.